WAUKEGAN, Ill. – Taylor Kissinger of the Cornhusker Shooting Stars Bison 14 squad has had no trouble finding effective role models to provide guidance.
Her older sisters, Brooke and Jamie, have been a primary force in her basketball development for many years. But the roles are about to change dramatically for Taylor; Brooke and Jamie are headed to play basketball at Illinois and San Diego, respectively, this fall.
“It’s going to be really weird (without them),” Taylor said during USJN’s 11th annual Summer Final Midwest in the Chicago area.
Together, the trio helped Minden High School finish as state runner-up in Nebraska’s Class C-1 tournament in March. Now that the older sisters are headed to college, Taylor will continue her growth without them nearby.
But if this summer is an indication, things are going swimmingly. Kissinger’s sharp shooting helped the Bison shine during the Summer Final, finishing pool play undefeated, which ran their July winning streak to 26 games.
Despite playing in the 17U/16U championship bracket, the Bison – with one player from the 2017 class (Kissinger) and the rest being 2018s – advanced to the semifinals of bracket play, falling to Wisconsin Academy 17. It hardly tarnished a superb summer for the Bison, which earned 14U titles at the USJN event in Cincinnati to go along with a 14U title at the Battle in the Boro. They also won the second division of the Battle on the Plains.
“The best part is they love to play,” coach Dan Lesoing said. “They want to practice. They’re a unique breed. They’re the best group – as a group – that I’ve ever had.”
While the skills run deep, the leader is Kissinger, who at 6-foot already is taller than both her sisters (Brooke is 5-7, Jamie 5-9). And Taylor might not be done yet.
“She’s still growing,” Lesoing said. “She’ll be maybe 6-2 or 6-3. Her hips are higher than mine.”
What stands out most about Kissinger, however, is her sublime shooting ability. An example came during her first game in Minden’s state tournament last winter. As a freshman, Kissinger sank 7 of 8 three-point attempts.
Summer games are no different. In fact, she likely gets even more open looks during the summer than during her high school season. One club coach lamented earlier this summer that his elite-level team had lost only once recently, in large part because Kissinger drilled seven threes against him.
“During my high school season everybody knows I can shoot,” Kissinger said, “and we haven’t played these (club) teams yet. It’s a lot easier in the beginning of the games. But these teams are a lot tougher than what I play (against) in Nebraska.”
Kissinger is trying to develop her all-around game, working on her ability to drive and finish instead of relying heavily on perimeter jumpshots. Since point guard Brooke graduated, she figures she’ll be in a different position for Minden next season.
“Now I’m going to have to play point guard and it’s going to be tougher,” Taylor said.
For the Bison, Taylor plays off the ball, especially when the Bison are playing against older opponents where “her foot speed kills her,” Lesoing said. “You put her in with the 14-year-olds, she does pretty good. She’s getting better. The maturity will come.”
Kissinger, whose father Brian played at Nebraska-Kearney, said she has scholarship offers from Illinois, Arizona State and Oklahoma State.
WBA PRESTIGE NABS TOP DIVISION HONORS
Wisconsin WBA Prestige 17 Blue won the 17U/16U bracket for Pools A-H at the Summer Final, defeating Wisconsin Academy 17 Williams in Tuesday’s final, 66-58.
The bracket for Pools I-P went to Illinois Midwest Wildcats 17, which beat the Missouri Lady Warriors 17 67-62.
Wisconsin Academy 15 Williams won the 15U bracket with a 62-47 victory against Illinois Defenders 15 Grey. The 14U bracket was captured by WBA Prestige 14 Pink with a 34-30 victory against Illinois Lady Lightning 14 Bronze. Indiana Gym Rats 13 Next Level won the 13U/12U championship with a 57-48 victory against Wisconsin Impact 13 Liebl.
The tournament featured 140 teams. More than 105 colleges were represented.
PEORIA JEMS HAVE A JEWEL IN LAKES
Peoria Jems 16 Jewels coach Jonelle McCloud is one of the all-time greats in the history of the University of Illinois women’s basketball program, an elite post player who played professionally in Europe. McCloud’s prodigy might have the same type of potential that McCloud – nee Polk – once displayed.
Myishay Lakes, a 6-2 post in the 2017 class, is only in her fourth year of playing basketball, but she is making rapid improvement.
McCloud, who runs a recreational center, spotted her one day in the facility.
“Do you play basketball?” McCloud asked.
“No,” Lakes said.
“You do now,” McCloud replied.
Lakes has taken to the sport quickly. She has the physical tools to compete near the basket. Boasting a strong, sturdy frame, she isn’t afraid to use her body. Her touch around the basket extends to about 10 feet at this point.
“She has developed so much in four years,” McCloud said. “She got injured a week and a half ago, so she’s kind of hobbling right now. But she has so much potential. She’s only going to be a sophomore, and I just can’t wait to see her grow as a player.”
The Peoria, Ill.-based squad competes in 16U because it has one 2015 player, but the roster consists almost entirely of 2017s and 2018s.
The team’s name is an acronym for Journey to Empowerment through Motivation and Self-Esteem. McCloud, whose daughter Jonae plays for the team, started the club about eight years ago.
“We’ve had a great summer,” McCloud said. “It’s a great bunch of kids and I’m happy that we’re able to travel this circuit. We did it in the past but we never won any games, so my goal is to get to the (bracket) play. We’ve played three or four years in U.S. Junior Nationals and we’ve never gotten (past) pool play. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
ESHOO HAS HIGH HOPES FOR PREP SEASON
Emily Eshoo’s high school teammate – Chicago Hoops Express guard Kathleen Doyle – has made positive impressions during an impressive summer, but Eshoo has had a notable summer herself.
Eshoo, who joins the highly touted Doyle in the backcourt for a strong Benet Academy team during the prep season, committed to Bradley last month.
“I went to the their camp, had a really good time there, and that just sealed the deal,” said Eshoo, a 5-9 2015 guard. “It’s good to have it over and not have the questions going around in my head.”
Eshoo, who also considered Cornell and Nebraska-Omaha, can advise Doyle in that regard. Doyle has enjoyed growing attention from major colleges recently after a strong summer showing.
Together they’ll make Benet Academy one of the top teams in Illinois.
“I’m really excited. I think we’re going to do really well this year,” Eshoo said. “We only lost three seniors and they weren’t a big factor. We’ve got even more experience this year and everyone knows their roles.”
Eshoo’s club team — Rockets 17 coached by Drew Ondik — faced Doyle’s CHE squad earlier this year.
“We played them in the first tournament and beat them. But we haven’t played them since,” Eshoo said. “I was guarding her. It was fun to see each other in a different light. Definitely more fun for me because we won.”
With the summer season winding down, they’re eager to pair up again.
“She’s one of my closest friends on the team,” Eshoo said. “I heard she’s doing really good things with her team and I’m really proud of her because you can tell she’s been working hard. It’s really fun to play with her, so I’ve been cheering her on with her AAU team.”
